Ohio River Festival approaching fast

Tuesday

The Ohio River Festival is fast approaching, and this year promises to be one of the best yet.

Festival president Lucy Harbert said the event is set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday Aug. 3, 4, and 5 at Washington Riverfront Park in Ravenswood.

“We have some great entertainment. We’ve got the Davisson Brother’s on Friday night. They’ve got a huge following and everyone is really excited that we’ve got them for Friday night. I’m glad we could get them too. We’re looking to see a big crowd,” Harbert said.

Shane Runion will be back this year after his show was rained out last year. Illeana Ille will open for Runion.

“Our main entertainers on Saturday are Shane Runion and Little Texas. Shane Runion was here last year and he couldn’t perform because we had a terrible storm so we brought him back this year,” Harbert said. “Shane is really good. I’ve seen him perform at different places.”

This is the first year for Little Texas at the Ohio River Festival, but these veteran performers are looking to put on a great show.

On Saturday and Sunday, from 1-3 p.m., boat races will be featured; these events are some of the most-anticipated of the entire festival, Harbert said.

“We want to thank Constellium because we would not be able to afford holding the races without them,” Harbert said. “We had over 10,000 people here last year to watch the boat races. I think it’s just the excitement of it that draws people, the roar on the river.”

Sunday will feature the Mark Wood Fun Show. This performance is sure to wow the younger crowd.

“He does magic tricks, and makes all kinds of animals out of balloons. He walks around and does magic with people in the audience. He does a stage show, too,” Harbert said.

Sunday also will feature a Vegas Heart and Soul Tribute to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill by Adam Tucker and

A Rubber Ducky race is also slated for Sunday. The festival will also feature Meigs Inflatables and a Duck Pond, as well as a dunking booth, with the chance to dunk Police Chief Lance Morrison and Mayor Josh Miller.

“I got them both last year,” Harbert said.

The festival also will feature face-painting, free blood pressure readings, a coloring contest and a pie-eating contest. There also will be a cake and pie auction, as well as corn hole and bocce tournaments.

A pancake breakfast is scheduled from 7-10 a.m. on Saturday. The parade is at 10:30 a.m.

“We just want everyone to come out. We have a car and bike show on Saturday afternoon at the Ravenswood Plaza,” Harbert said.

“We have some local talent of course on Friday night, with the River Rats and Luke Sadecky, and we’ll have the crowning of our River Queen,” Harbert said.

The Ohio River Festival has been a staple of the area for 48 years. Harbert has been involved for 35 and was inducted in the the West Virginia State Festival Hall of Fame last year.

“It does bring people in. They buy gas, they come up and eat. I just think it’s a good thing for the city of Ravenswood,” Harbert said.